DRF handicappers featured at dinner, charity auction

Daily Racing Form handicappers Mike Watchmaker and Mike Welsch as well as Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron and NBC’s Randy Moss will analyze the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks at a dinner and auction Monday at the Keene Barn on the grounds of Keeneland Race Course.

The event, which begins at 6:30 p.m., is sponsored by DRF and the Charitable Impact Group, which was established in 2014 to create awareness of and financially support charities committed to the welfare of children and equine athletes. All the proceeds from the event will be shared by the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, Camp Horsin’ Around, New Vocations, and the Bluegrass Sports Commission.

Among the items being offered in the live auction are:

◗ A set of framed jockey pants emblazoned with the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund logo and signed by every jockey who rode in the 2015 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. Among the signatures is that of Victor Espinoza, who rode American Pharoah to wins in all three races, securing the first Triple Crown in 37 years.

◗ A boxed collection of Peb’s art commissioned by owner Penny Chenery after Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973.

◗ A private coach and tour for 10 guests of Ashford Stud to meet American Pharoah.

◗ A tour and dinner at historic Botherum in Lexington for three couples.

◗ An American Pharoah photo layout of his wins in the three Triple Crown races and the Breeders’ Cup Classic by Michele MacDonald and John Stephen Hockensmith.

◗ Four tickets to hear the Philadelphia Philharmonic at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Aug. 19, plus DRF’s clubhouse box at Saratoga on Aug. 20, Alabama Stakes Day.

◗ A signed print of Zenyatta with jockey Mike Smith.

◗ A signed print of California Chrome with jockey Victor Espinoza.

◗ A private pre-opening dinner for 10 at Grillfish in Lexington.

◗ Four tickets to the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita.

◗ A 6-foot-square print by nature photographer Wink Baines.

◗ Jewelry from Sheila Bayes.

Tickets for the event are $1,800 for a table of eight, or $225 for each individual ticket.

For information, contact Charitable Impact Group board member Carol Gardner at 859-492-6623, or by email at sail4gard@aol.com.